Sabah Prn17 Parties Candidates Getting Their Strategies Right And Scripted

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Following the dissolution of the Sabah State Legislative Assembly on Monday, backroom strategies, possible alliances and “gentlemen agreements” are now in play to finalise the line-up of aspiring candidates. - NSTP/MOHD ADAM ARININMOHD ADAM ARINIKOTA KINABALU: The real playbook is out as aspiring candidates wait for the nomination and polling days for the 17th Sabah State Election.
Following the dissolution of the Sabah State Legislative Assembly on Monday, backroom strategies, possible alliances and "gentlemen agreements" are now in play to finalise the line-up of aspiring candidates.
While a big part of the play has been scripted way before the assembly was dissolved, grounds can shift in the race for the 73 seats at stake and majority for a new mandate to administer the state.
Anthony Kiob, who used to run the state's think-tank, Institute of Development Studies Sabah, as it's chief executive officer, said; "Alliances are unavoidable."
With all the seats up for grabs, no single party can realistically form the government alone, he said and believes sooner or later, alliances will form either openly before the election or quietly after.
"It's part of Sabah's political DNA. What we can expect is shifting ground.
"Today's 'enemy' may suddenly become tomorrow's 'friend' once the numbers are known. This is why parties should be careful with personal attacks, you never know who you may need to work with later," Kiob said.
"Alliances in Sabah are less about ideology and more about numbers, survival and bargaining power. The real question is not if alliances will happen, but when and with whom," he said.
The pragmatic way, Kiob believes, is to keep options open rather than close the door completely.
Another crucial ingredient is to add the right amount of Sabah-Federal flavour in the list of candidates.
"The easy way forward is to work smart, build strategic partnerships with federal parties to tap into resources, funding and federal machinery.
"But too much federal reliance can backfire. It risks diluting the autonomy message and could trigger a backlash from voters who want a strong Sabah-based leadership," Kiob said.
Grassroots sentiment are evident of those who feel local parties understand their struggles better on land issues, MA63 rights, rural development, federal interference, unfulfilled pledges and even past unpopular decisions such as the rotation of the chief minister's post.
On the other hand, however, a solo local party going against the might of ruling federal parties or their alliances can be tough.
To stand a real chance, local parties will need to work together, build alliances and pool resources to maintain momentum and stamina - especially when it comes to campaign machinery and funds as voting day gets closer.
Political analyst Tony Paridi Bagang too opined political parties are expected to amplify local sentiments, framing the contest as a struggle between local-based representation and national party dominance.
"This recurring narrative of 'local versus national' will likely dominate campaign discourses, as parties seek to appeal to Sabahans' strong sense of regional identity and autonomy," said Bagang of Universiti Teknologi Mara.
"The coming polls will be a crucial test of whether the growing sentiment for locally anchored governance resonates strongly enough to influence voting behaviour.
"It will reveal whether emotional attachment to state-based parties can overcome pragmatic considerations of federal alignment and resources."
If it's anything to go by, Sabah's experience demonstrates that federalism remains a defining feature of its political landscape.
"While calls for local autonomy persist, pragmatic cooperation with the federal administration continues to underpin the state's governance strategy, particularly in securing development funds and maintaining political stability," Bagang added. - NST

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